Skip advert
Advertisement

Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Waterspeed Collection

Bespoke Phantom-based special edition from Rolls-Royce celebrates Sir Malcolm Campbell’s 1930s water speed records

Rolls-Royce has revealed a Phantom Drophead Coupe-based special edition, created to celebrate the 1930s water speed world records set by Sir Malcolm Campbell.

Previewed earlier this year in a series of sketches, it's called the Waterspeed Collection with a production run of only 35 models. It has been personalised with a range of bespoke styling and engineering features, which pay tribute to the Rolls-Royce R Engine-powered Bluebird boats used in the water-speed record attempts. Given the added exclusivity, the car is now on sale for £435,000 – a hefty £82,000 premium over the already pricey standard car, with all but two having been sold. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Finished in Maggiore Blue, a reference to the location of Campell’s 1937 record-breaking run, for the first time in a Rolls-Royce the new Phantom sees its Bluebird-inspired paint scheme extend to the engine bay. The electric blue finish has also been incorporated into the car’s unique eleven-spoke alloys for a contrasting effect.

Inside, Rolls-Royce has taken the opportunity to add further Maggiore Blue details, using accents to create a distinctive two-tone steering wheel and dashboard. Windchill Grey leather is used throughout the interior, and borders the brushed steel decking which replaces the tradition teak finish. 

Elsewhere, Abachi wood features inside for the first time in a Rolls-Royce, with the cut of the wood at an angle to “echo the wake left by a boat moving at speed.”

Underlining the water speed connections both inside and out are handcrafted Bluebird motifs, including an engraving on the door armrest and an exterior imprint by Rolls-Royce’s master coachline painter.

On top of this, as with the Aviator Collection unveiled in 2012, the glovebox interior has been used to further emphasise Rolls-Royce’s historical connections – with a hand-embroidered panel detailing the record achieved by Campbell across three years at Lake Maggiore, Lake Hallwil and Coniston Water.

Powering the Waterspeed will be the same 6.75-litre V12 featured in the standard Drophead Coupe, offering 453bhp and 720Nm of torque. This should see it hit 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 149mph.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

100 years of the Rolls-Royce Phantom: the ultimate status symbol for an entire century
Rolls-Royce Phantom I

100 years of the Rolls-Royce Phantom: the ultimate status symbol for an entire century

The Phantom has also been the pinnacle of Rolls-Royce for an entire century, and remains the “perfect blank canvas for bespoke individualisation”
News
2 May 2025
Top 10 best luxury cars to buy 2025
Best Luxury cars - header

Top 10 best luxury cars to buy 2025

Indulge yourself with our list of the best luxury cars on sale today
Best cars & vans
23 Apr 2025
Best saloon cars to buy in 2025
Best saloon cars

Best saloon cars to buy in 2025

Saloon cars may be less popular than they used to be, but there are still plenty of fantastic models to choose from
Best cars & vans
14 Jan 2025
Cars with the best seats
Cars with best seats - header image

Cars with the best seats

A car’s seats are crucial to passenger comfort and wellbeing but some models stand out with real high class seating
Best cars & vans
7 Nov 2024

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: Sacre bleu! The Renault 5 keeps getting cheaper
Renault 5 - front full width

Car Deal of the Day: Sacre bleu! The Renault 5 keeps getting cheaper

The modern-day Super Cinq comes with a super price. It’s our Deal of the Day for 14 May
News
14 May 2025
Want a new small car? You probably can’t afford one and car bosses blame the EU
Luca de Meo - Renault 5

Want a new small car? You probably can’t afford one and car bosses blame the EU

Renault and Stellantis bosses demand changes to the emissions rules driving up new car prices
News
15 May 2025
New Lotus Emeya 2025 review: the Porsche Taycan has finally met its match
Lotus Emeya - front

New Lotus Emeya 2025 review: the Porsche Taycan has finally met its match

The new Lotus Emeya may not be light, but is great in almost every other way
Road tests
15 May 2025